How does one define the loss felt by someone you never met? He didn't cure cancer, or bring world peace...No offense to those noble causes, but in a way, Steve Jobs changed lives in just as important a manner. Whether you loved his products or not, Steve Jobs undeniably brought about a culture of excellence unmatched by most. The products he pushed for, and helped drive to unmatched quality and perfection, made a difference in the lives of millions, and perhaps billions.
Having been laid off this year from a company who's CEO cared more about his Malibu Home and private jet than the product he peddled, I always got the sense that Jobs just didn't care about all that. One gets the feeling that the ONLY important thing to him was excellence. You felt he truly wanted to change the world for the better, and fame and fortune just happened to be something that came with the territory. As an engineer, my career revolves around his products. I could only hope to work one day for someone so driven. To work in a culture where doing it "right" is more important than all the other politics that go into daily decision making.
Amongst the corporate elite, one felt he stood apart. His life never seemed to be about bonuses and options and bottom lines. He challenged status quo, and wasn't afraid to take chances. He would rather scrap a product after investing millions of dollars of research and development than stick his name on a failed product...and yet, he failed...more than once. He continued however to hone his talents and passions towards delivering products that would change the world.
As a consumer, my life is made easier because of his products. I spent many years being a "PC" man. I remember fighting tooth and nail against buying into this whole "iPod" fad. It's not like it was new technology. It had been done already, and even done cheaper. Eventually, I succumbed, and I am glad I did. Apple didn't always invent, but they definitely reinvented. They did so in a way that made their products exciting to buy, and refreshing to use. I learned what many Apple enthusiasts learn quickly. It's all about the experience. It doesn't hurt though that those products look so good as well. It was iPod first for me, then mac mini, then Mac Pro, Mac Book Pro, iMac, and then iPhone and iPad. I have a photo of my wife feeding our newborn twins, while reading the news on an iPad. It's the perfect example of how a product just works and fits into your daily life. It gets to the point where you just wish Apple made cars, refrigerators, televisions, or even toothbrushes. You just know if Steve Jobs has a say in it, it's most likely gonna be great, and revolutionary.
And yet, Steve Jobs didn't actually create these products. He doesn't write code, or build hardware, or fabricate silicon wafers (that I know of). But he is definitely responsible for it all. There are few leaders in history that have the right combination of charisma, passion, intelligence, and general know-how to do what he did. One could only hope he left his imprint on as many people as possible. I feel a loss for his family most. Yesterday, a wife, four children, siblings, and close family, lost a man that meant more to them than just the guy who brought us the Mac, iPad, iPhone and iPod. I feel a loss for his company and those who worked tirelessly to deliver the products and experience that became famous the world over. I guess however that the reason I'm finding it hard to define the loss that I feel, is that it is a bit selfish. Perhaps there's a bit of guilt to how I feel. There's a fear that the excitement for "What will he show us next" may have passed away with Steve Jobs. Like a great movie, or great book, you just don't want it to ever end.
